We would like to invite you to a discussion on the future for health and care services, and to help us prioritise changes and improvements that need to be made to ensure our populations continue to have the best possible care.

Now that the NHS Long-term plan has been published, it is the right time for us to talk with our communities about what the areas are that we need to focus on to ensure services remain sustainable and right for patients.

These discussions will build on what we have already heard through our “Big Health and Care Conversation” across the area, and help us think about how we use the available money for health and care in the best possible way: “We can do anything, but not everything”.

Our discussions will be focused on the FUTURE of health and care:Facing up to our challengesUnderstanding NeedTransforming servicesUnwarranted variation – ensuring this does not happenResources and how we use them most effectivelyEquality of access and care for our diverse population

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There were cries of ‘shame on you’ and disgusting’ from the public gallery as Mid Sussex District Council approved a gypsy and traveller site in Copthorne.

Mid-Sussex was both applicant and planning authority for the application to change the use of land at Lower Hollow Copse to house a total of 13 pitches across two areas.

Before the planning meeting, in Haywards Heath, protesters gathered outside the council building bearing placards calling for Copthorne to be treated fairly and branding the area’s district plan a ‘sham’.

Mark Kosky, of the Pot Common Protection Association said “We feel that it’s unsuitable for a site due to its dangerous nature.

“It’s a very complex issue and we feel that Mid Sussex are not treating the gypsy community fairly nor the local community fairly.

“We fully understand the gypsy requirements and in fact, support them. But the district plan itself states that they should be in the strategic sites at Burgess Hill and Hassocks.”

There had been plenty of objections to the application, with a 2,500-name petition submitted, as well as more than 380 letters opposing the plan.

Among the concerns were noise levels, the relatively small size of some of the pitches, and the safety of children who would have to cross the A264 to get to school.

A spokesman for Worth Parish Council asked the meeting: “It3 considered dangerous for adults to cross this road. How can it be safe for children to cross it on the way to school?”

Tony Dorey (Con, Copthorne & Worth) sent a written submission to the meeting, as he was unable to attend.

In it, he questioned the viability and location of the site, the validity of the application, and the ‘actions and methods that have been adopted to arrive at the submission of this application’.

Mr Dorey listed concerns such as the application being a joint submission between the council and the land owner, but funded and driven by the council; and the fact there would be council-owned and privately-owned plots.

He said that he had been assured by senior officers that they were confident of the legality of the application, but he added that the ‘number and severity of issues surrounding it do create the perception among the local residents that something contrived has gone on’.

Chairman Robert Salisbury (Con, Cuckfield) told members: “We are here with clear, open minds and I will not accept anything that looks as though it is slightly biased.”